Cotteridge To Buy or Not to Buy

Good morning, house hunters. Today, we're looking for a first-time property for a lovely couple,

and did you know, one of them is from Lithuania?

-What does that mean?

-It means "Yes" in Lithuanian.

You speak Lithuanian?

Do you know any other words?

OK. After the titles, Nikki, I am going to test you on Lithuanian

and I'd like you to introduce the programme. Can you do that?

Right then, ready?

Our first ever introduction in Lithuanian.

Can you say, "Welcome to To Buy Or Not To Buy,

"my name's Nikki Bedi, this is Ed Hall"?

HER VOICE IS DUBBED INTO LITHUANIAN

Very good. Let's try random words. You could have just learnt that. Can you say "cheese"?

Sausage dog.

Round the ragged rocks the rugged rascal ran.

She's very good, ladies and gentlemen.

OK, then, Nikki, will we presumably be showing them three properties, one of which they can...

I like it.

Coming up on To Buy Or Not To Buy...

Nikki takes a gamble on location.

And your feelings about Stirchley are...?

We don't really like it.

LAUGHTER

Ed almost lends a helping hand.

The only thing I don't like is those glass panels above the doors.

Would you be able to replace them?

I could certainly have a go.

I'll do it, if that's... Actually, I won't! I'm a very busy man.

And a DIY spat ensues.

-I don't like the little untidy, unpainted bits...

-Cracks everywhere.

It'll give me something to do at the weekends.

As long as you promise you're going to do that.

Ooh! Did you hear that?

-Eventually.

-Yeah, just like your parents' house.

"Just like you did at your parents' house. Yeah? Yeah!"

She's cross!

Today, we're in Cotteridge, south Birmingham, to meet our house hunters, Irena and James.

Irena is Lithuanian and as well as being a qualified chef, she also works as an interpreter.

-So she translates things, does she?

-That's right.

-What, English to Lithuanian? That sort of thing?

-Yes.

I see, so Irena's basically translated your opening bit for you, hasn't she?

OK. Yes, she has.

Irena's partner, James, works in IT,

but outside his day job,

his real passion is photography, and Irena of course!

They've been together for 4.5 years and now feel the time is right

to take the plunge into the local property market.

For the time being, they're both living at Irena's mum's,

so they can keep saving for the all-important deposit,

but as first-time buyers, they're ready to go.

-Are you ready?

-Yes, are you?

-Of course.

Irena and James, congratulations. Welcome to the programme.

It's a first for us. I don't think we've ever had a Lithuanian person on the programme before.

Do you consider yourself Lithuanian, though, or British-Lithuanian?

Um, I'm Russian-Lithuanian.

Oh my goodness gracious me. We've never had that either.

James, you're exciting as well, but not because of that. You have the best titled job in the world.

You are a...?

-Data architect.

-A data architect.

I almost don't want you to explain what that is...

It would be much more boring.

You're like the Indiana Jones of data. That is exciting,

but what's even more exciting is what we're about to do - find a property for you two to move into.

What sort of thing are you looking for? A house, an apartment.

Not an apartment. Er, a cosy house.

-Yeah, we've lived in apartments before, which we've really liked, but...

-We've had enough of that.

..it's time to find a house for ourselves with a nice garden and...

A lot of places round here - downstairs bathrooms, downstairs toilets...

Yeah, especially in the Victorian properties.

Yeah, that's one of the reasons we've tended to look at slightly more modern properties.

They do tend to be much more normal.

Why don't people like downstairs bathrooms?

No-one wants to wake up in the middle of the night and go to the toilet and then go downstairs...

Think of the calories you're burning.

-At midnight?!

-During the day you'll be burning them, going up while you're downstairs.

People on this show always want cornicing and fireplaces and things,

so what is it that you don't like about period properties?

Well, what puts me off, say, a Victorian house, for example,

usually it's very high ceilings,

and being a petite girl, I just don't fit.

I think you'd look gorgeous in a period property.

Like a tiny little vase.

-Yes, like a doll.

-"Like a tiny little vase"!

So, the idea of high ceilings - you don't want to look like a tiny little vase in the house.

If we did find properties,

and there's going to be a lot to look through that are more of the Victorian era,

would that be terrible?

Would you consider it?

-It wouldn't be terrible. We would consider it.

-OK.

It would not be the first one to pick.

Now, with data architecting, do you need an office to data architect?

I do need somewhere for my computer, because I do use it quite a lot.

Um, both for the photography stuff and...

Tell us a little bit about your photography.

You describe yourself as an amateur photographer.

It sounds like you're a passionate amateur photographer.

What's the greatest picture you've ever taken?

I've got many of Irena

-and they do tend to turn out pretty well.

-Told you.

-You see!

-Good subject, though.

-Absolutely.

All right. So, photography - major passion.

Have you got any passions that require room space?

Cooking.

I'm a chef as well.

-Um, so kitchen space...

-Yes, that leads us to the kitchen.

We would prefer a large, or at least good-size kitchen.

How many bedrooms? We haven't got to that.

Two or three is fine.

Detached? Semi-detached?

Um, most of the places that we've seen tended to be terraced houses.

Um...

End-of-terrace is nicer than terrace, obviously!

Semi is even better, and detached would be...

-Just a dream come true.

-OK, all right.

I like it - you know what you want.

-OK, are there any other things we need to factor into this?

-Yeah, and you're going to hate me.

It's a conservatory, I'm really keen on them.

-James thinks they're useless.

-OK, why do you want one?

Because I never had one.

-James, why don't you like conservatories?

-Um...

I like 'em. It's nice sitting in a conservatory,

but other things are higher on my priority list.

What would you be prepared to...? What won't you lose, then?

Somewhere to sit down and have a meal is a bit more important.

-It all depends on the price, so that brings us...

-Let's do it.

-..to the most important bit.

What is your budget?

It's up to £125,000.

-OK. That's it, isn't it?

-It is.

-Wish us luck.

-Good luck.

-We need it today, I think.

-See you later.

-See you later.

Nikki, today's episode is going to be a version of Upstairs, Downstairs.

A modern retelling, if you will.

Well, you will be below stairs in that case.

It's not about a class war, Nikki. This is about upstairs, downstairs toilets and bathrooms.

Thank you very much. I am going to get right at it and try and achieve an upstairs bathroom -

I'm going to talk to an estate agent.

And I'm going to talk to the lovely people of King's Norton.

Well, today's search brings us just south of Birmingham city centre

to the districts of King's Norton, Cotteridge and Northfield.

Originally, all these areas were small towns in their own right,

only becoming part of the Birmingham metropolitan area

at the beginning of the 20th century.

In particular, the conservation area of King's Norton,

with its picturesque green, 13th century church and independent shops

still retains a small town charm with a city-meets-country feel.

And with direct rail and bus services to Birmingham,

you can be in the city centre within half an hour,

making the area ever-popular for commuters.

With house prices averaging around £150,000,

which is under the national average,

it seems like you can get a lot of brick for your buck here.

But what's on the market at the moment

at other major cities around the UK?

How about this quintessential 1930s bay-fronted semi in the Withington area of Manchester?

Located on a quiet street with three bedrooms, an extended kitchen

and lovely private garden...

Or, if period living with a contemporary twist appeals,

there's this classic three-bed Victorian terrace in Bishopston, Bristol.

The property boasts an extended kitchen,

spacious loft, and it's on the market for...

Last, but not least, for the more flush amongst you,

there's this lovely, period terraced property in Dulwich, south London.

It's beautifully finished,

with stylish kitchen-diner and modern bathroom. The price...

-Hello, are you Dean?

-I am. Pleased to meet you.

I'm Ed, pleased to meet you too.

Dean, I have got £125,000 to spend on behalf of a lovely couple...

Where should I start looking? What sort of areas?

Well, anywhere around Cotteridge, really.

-This is Cotteridge?

-This is Cotteridge, yes.

So, what's special about Cotteridge?

King's Norton - they're very friendly places.

-OK.

-Anybody will tell you that.

Have you got anything modern? Probably something beyond 1960s, '70s ish.

We do. We have an ex-local authority, three bedroom end terrace

that's just recently come on the market.

-Where do you live?

-Just down in Stirchley.

-So, would you recommend Stirchley?

-Yep, absolutely. Good bus and train network as well.

So, Dean, of this mystical property that sounds lovely,

-have you got any details?

-Nothing as yet, as it's just come on the market.

I already have viewings this weekend, so the sooner they can see it, the better it will be.

If you wanted to do something in the evening, what would you do?

-There's plenty to do here. There's lovely pubs, carveries...

-Bowling.

-Yes.

-Bowling.

Dean, do you know the pressure? My reputation is hanging on your word.

Will I look a fool if I show these beautiful people this house?

I promise you won't.

There's the hand. I'm off. If you let me down, I'm coming after you.

-How are you?

-I'm good, how are you?

I am doing very well, actually. I'm quietly confident.

Confidence based upon a man called Dean.

-Oh yeah, what does Dean do?

-He's an estate agent.

I hope he's a good one, because he's told me about a property that's only just come onto the market.

I'm going to show you the details via the mobile phone.

It's been e-mailed to me and that's a picture of the outside.

He's assured me the inside is phenomenal.

They will love it. It's modern, it's perfect, it's everything they want.

Well, I have found a property

kissing the Stirchley and King's Heath borders -

a wonderful '50s three-bedroom.

A property with a big back garden - nice and sunny.

Only thing is, the bathroom's downstairs. But I'm not worried.

I'm quietly confident that the space is enough.

Downstairs bathroom, Nikki, is a major thing that they didn't want.

So, very brave of you. Very brave.

Um, now, the wildcard - everyone loves the wildcard.

The wildcard in this case is a little bit from Nikki's,

a little bit from mine, and a little bit from good, old Victoriana.

It's very lovely. It doesn't have a downstairs bathroom...

Yeah? Doesn't have one of them.

It's got character, and they weren't after character particularly.

It's in Cotteridge,

which is arm-wrestling distance from King's Norton.

Those are the houses today. Where should we start the journey?

How about...the phone one? Dean's promise has to be seen.

We're going to get a first look around this house before anyone else.

Well, this ex-local authority three-bed has literally just come on the market today

and it's not going to hang around for long.

Why? Because Irena and James are going to buy it.

-It's got everything they asked for, and more.

-You seem rather confident.

Well, Nikki, I defy you to find a better starter home for the money.

Go on, try.

Irena and James, walk toward what I believe

is a brick interpretation of what you actually want.

Am I right?

You might be.

-OK, now, this property has come onto the market today.

-Today!

-It's fresh meat.

It's a cracker. It's everything you want -

the right amount of bedrooms, the right amount of space, a kitchen-diner, everything.

We're in King's Norton, a part of King's Norton that's having a huge regeneration,

so in three years' time, all of this will be even lovelier.

You like this area, don't you?

Yeah. We live a bit further out at the moment. It does seem nice.

It's only going to get nicer, and if you buy now,

that will push the prices up, so this makes it, as an investment, even better.

-Definite advantage, yeah.

-What do you think, knowing all the brilliant things I've just told you?

I like it. It does look like the kind of place that we could feel at home at.

It looks cute from outside, and I look forward to walking through the door.

-Depends where the bathroom is, really, doesn't it?

-Not at all.

So, if this had a downstairs bathroom, would you accept it?

We'll have to have a look first.

-I tell you what, this has a bit of both worlds.

-It has!

-Try and work out what that means.

-Two bathroom luxury?!

-Ooh!

-You couldn't bathe in the downstairs one. Are you ready?

-Yeah.

-All right. Enjoy that property.

-All right.

-Cheers.

I like the porch.

-It's a good size.

-It's nice inside.

Everything looks in good condition.

-Check this, guess what.

-Downstairs toilet?

-It is!

-Ah!

-I love it.

-Very handy.

-Definite advantage.

Saves walking up the stairs.

You know in America, this property would be considered one-and-a-half bathrooms.

-Ooh!

-A half-bathroom is a cloakroom.

Americans...kind of make sense, but not really.

-OK, nice and clean.

-Nice and white and open.

-Fridge!

-The fridge is hiding under the stairs.

Does that mean the kitchen is really small and the fridge doesn't fit?

We shall see in a bit, I think.

OK, lounge.

-It's quite nice.

-It's a nice size.

-Oh, look.

-It's a nice size living room.

It just feels comfortable in here.

Cosy, quiet...

Two words to describe me.

Also, words to describe that lounge as well.

-Oh, it's a good size.

-Wow!

It's nice.

It IS nice. It's a new, fitted kitchen.

Do you think it's enough space for the fridge?

I think so. I think that's a fridge, there,

so it must be a second one under the... Second one under the stairs, maybe?

So, see, they're seeing the second fridge, Ed,

which, as the lady who owns the house is a chef, she needs...

If one fridge goes down, you need a backup fridge. I don't know why more people don't do that.

Oh, that's a library!

Now, that is a library for chefs.

A "chefbrary" as I believe they're called in the trade.

-Um, it's not a very often-used word, that, the "chefbrary"...

Oh, one more fridge. How many do they have?

-Very nice.

-And look, a little patio.

What's that?

That's a little house. Is that for you when you misbehave?

-That is the harshness of a Lithuanian chef.

-Is that not a bit of a sweeping statement?

-No, because...

-There are many women who'd like to put their men in out-houses,

and they're watching right now.

Stairs you can fall up!

You're not a baby!

I like the white walls, you can always put your pictures up.

-Bathroom.

-Yeah.

OK.

It's quite small, but not too small.

SHOWER STARTS Oh my God! How do you switch it off?

-What's she done?

-She's just switched the shower on.

I tell you what, though. I admire her for it. You've got to test everything.

What do we have here?

There we go.

-Ooh, nice.

-OK, the master bedroom.

I think so, yeah.

-Lovely, a good size.

-Yep.

You know, double bed in here and still plenty of room to walk around,

or for wardrobes for all your clothes.

-Right...

-On into this room.

One more bedroom.

OK, so this is actually a decent size second room.

It is a good size.

-Technically, you've got three double bedrooms, have you?

-Yep.

-One is sort of a gym at the moment.

-Yes.

-A folded up gym.

-But that's kind of like how I live.

I'm always Power-Plating or aerobicising, or crunching.

It's amazing I've got time to do this.

-Yeah.

-I'm actually working my pelvic floor as we speak.

LAUGHTER

-Three bedrooms.

-Third bedroom.

Ah. Did you expect to see three bedrooms?

-I'll...

-Oh look, it's a double bed.

-I'll claim this as my study!

Good luck.

Got one more door left.

-Fourth bedroom. No, it's not.

-Just more storage.

-Plenty of that.

-Yeah.

Yeah, quite nice. What do you think in general?

I like it. Everything's either new, or pretty new.

-We could move in.

-The only thing I don't like is those glass panels above the doors.

Would you be able to replace them?

I could certainly have a go.

I'll do it, if that's... Actually, I won't! I'm a very busy man. It will also annoy the wife -

"Why are you doing their DIY when you haven't done these things?"

-Um, we haven't seen the garden. Shall we have a look?

-Yeah.

-There you go.

-Hiya.

-So, you wanted to have a look at the garden.

Let's do that, live, on screen, for everyone. So, what do you think?

Look at the side there. That is where, if you wanted to shove a garage, you could do.

You've got gate access there, you've got whatever you want to do there.

-That was where you were going to be naughty, wasn't it?

-When I do something wrong.

You've got two naughty options. You've got the one over there, dog house number one,

-and that's severe dog house.

-I am spoilt for choice.

Yes. Never have that as an option, that you'll be out here.

-As a back garden, it's a good space, isn't it?

-It's nice, it's secluded, but it's still sunny.

There we go.

And doing a cursory glance across the houses, we haven't got you a conservatory, but they've got one.

Either, late at night, steal it,

or, it's proof, basically, that you could put a conservatory

on the back of your house without any kind of hassle. It can be done.

It's good, isn't it? Is it everything I thought it was?

It's lovely, really. It's got two toilets, three bedrooms,

it's nice and clean, and it's modern.

-And the kitchen.

-And the kitchen, of course.

It's a good size kitchen and it's got a dining room as well.

-I really like the look of the kitchen...

-Mm-hmm.

-BIRDS SING

-..and the general feel.

-Listen to the birds, just singing away.

-That's the loudest noise you can hear.

The question is, will you like it when you know how much it costs?

Dur-dur-dur! Right, Nikki, who do you want to make start?

-Ladies first.

-I would like it to cost...

It's not, "How much would you like it to cost"!

All right, OK... What would you like it to cost?

Um, around £120,000.

-OK.

-I'm going to go for £115,000.

OK, there's great news about to happen.

It's not good news for you, Irena,

but it is good news in the bigger scheme of things.

The actual price of this is...

-£109,950.

-Really?

Yeah, so there we go. It's under what you thought,

and because of your position, you're ready to go, you could even shave money off that.

Not that you'd want to, because you valued it higher in your minds.

-And with that money to spend, you could...

-Have your conservatory!

You'd get everything you want!

Shall we just quit now, buy this?

-No, no, no, because I have a property to show you, obviously.

-Even better.

Well, I'm hoping so. Would you like to find out?

-Yes, we would.

-Come on, then.

-If the market's moving fast, we'll be foolhardy to leave this...

-Let's go, but if we lose out...

-We're going!

-All right, but if we lose out on this, it's on camera.

Well, my choice today, on the Stirchley/King's Heath borders, is an absolutely stunning three bed.

There's certainly a great deal of kerb appeal here,

and I know the fact it's semi-detached will be a bonus.

-I don't remember them mentioning Stirchley, Nikki.

-It's a very nice area, Ed, and they'll love it.

So, James, Irena...

This is my property. Property number 2.

-We're on the border of Stirchley and King's Heath.

-Right.

-It's one of my favourite borders.

-Is it?!

-It's beautiful.

-I'm glad we're both supporting each other.

-Yes, we are.

Do you know this area at all?

We know Stirchley, and we know King's Heath,

but we haven't been in this area particularly.

And your feelings about Stirchley are...?

We don't really like it.

LAUGHTER

I think the centre's a bit busy, but here looks very quiet, residential.

And in terms of King's Heath, because we are on the border...

-Nice area, a lot happening in the centre of King's Heath.

-That's good, that's positive.

-Already, I'm feeling more confident about my property.

-Thanks(!)

What you'll see is a semi-detached property, and that was something you quite liked the idea of.

You've got quite a big space at the back, which you'll see,

and you have the requisite number of bedrooms.

Also, there is the upstairs, downstairs theme that we have running here.

-What, a toilet downstairs and a bathroom upstairs?

-We'll see.

It's not about compromise, as Ed would have you believe.

It's about seeing ahead, seeing potential just on that one issue. The rest, I'm confident.

OK, knowing that you only like one of the areas it borders onto,

what do you honestly believe when you look at the house? Are you excited?

I think it has a lot of potential on the inside. It could be very nice.

Okey-dokey. Enter that house.

In you go, enjoy.

OK, a nice little porch.

Yep.

Nice and clean.

That's the lounge.

Oh, it's lovely.

Nice, having a table by the window for a change.

Ah...

-It's nice.

-It's nice and spacious.

Yep, cool.

The fire's a bit old.

But a very impressive fireplace.

I think we could definitely be at home here.

Lots of space to invite people round, and sit down on the couches.

-Okey-dokey, they're already entertaining in that house.

-A good sign.

Oh, a nice bathroom.

Oh, so the actual whole bath... The bath is downstairs.

Yeah, that's unusual, isn't it? Usually it's upstairs.

Maybe it's two again.

Oh, Ed, there was no big shock about a downstairs bathroom.

-Well, I tell you...

-They've moved on.

The shock will come when they realise there's not one upstairs.

I gave them downstairs AND upstairs. As you said, one-and-a-half bathrooms.

They are thinking, "Two bathrooms in this house."

-Or is it, Nikki? No.

-Ah.

Kitchen...

It's still nice and light.

-Not as much work...

-No.

-..surfaces.

You do like your work surfaces, don't you?

I like to make a lot of mess when I'm cooking.

And the table you have over there, in the lounge.

You don't have, like, a dining room.

-What, with the kitchen?

-Mmm.

No, it's different, you can sit out, watch the world go by.

Imagine having, like, borscht, and dripping all the red on the white carpet!

That wouldn't be so good. It'd stain a little bit.

Not kitchen-diner. They asked for kitchen-diner, you've not delivered.

Upstairs bathroom, you've not delivered. What else have you let them down with?

They said they wouldn't mind a kitchen-diner. Well, they've got the dining table in the living room.

-They could easily do what they wanted.

-This is embarrassing.

It's lovely.

Yep, I could fill these walls.

Okey-doke, what do we have here? Look, it's a study room.

Aha! Again, this is my room.

It's not particularly nicely painted there.

What's happened here, Nikki, I think Irena has gone to the dark side. She is not enjoying this.

I think even you can tell that.

-I think it's just that Lithuanian reserve.

-You reckon?

-You're reading too much into it.

-She's not happy.

-Here we go.

-OK...

so this, I guess, is the main bedroom.

-I don't like the little untidy, unpainted bits...

-Cracks everywhere.

It'll give me something to do at the weekends.

As long as you promise you're going to do that.

-Eventually.

-Yeah, just like your parents' house.

Ooh! Did you hear that?

A small DIY scuffle has broken out in that bedroom.

There was a little thing there that was meant. "Just like you did at your parents' house. Yeah? Yeah!"

She's cross.

-Oh, now that's the main one.

-I was wrong.

Surprise(!)

-Much bigger.

-That is much bigger. Much nicer as well.

Quite nice, I like it.

There isn't a bathroom up here at all. It's just downstairs...

which is a bit, it's kind of like the place we're in at the moment.

It's a little bit unusual.

And a little bit inconvenient at night.

-Um...

-But at the moment, you're not complaining of having to get up many times at night!

It's quite unusual, though.

Yes, that would be a bit of a disadvantage for us.

Slightly gutted to have not heard lots of wonderful "wows" and "excellents"

and the things that I hoped this property might elicit.

What's the problem?

I mean, we like... There are bits that are very nice,

but there are just a few more unusual things

or things that just aren't quite us.

So, with three good size bedrooms upstairs

and the kind of space that I've given you downstairs, the location you've got,

do you not take that into consideration?

Of course we do, and I think when we walked in,

we really liked it, because it looks very fresh, clean and cute inside.

But like, the more you see, the more things you have to consider.

Like then we saw...

this dining table and the bathroom downstairs.

And then, it's just...

I think, in this situation,

disadvantages outweigh the advantages, really.

I heard you not liking this dining area here.

We see the carpets not lasting too long.

You just have to learn table manners.

Once we get to the table, we're fine.

-It's the tricky bit between there and there.

-OK, got you.

-Do you want to play guess the price, and see if that would change it?

-Yeah.

-Definitely.

-Maybe I'm hanging too much on guess the price.

-OK, James won last time, didn't you?

-Yes, I think so.

Maximum budget, £125,000.

What do you think this is on the market for...

You started last time, Irena, so I'm going to go for you, James.

Say...£120... £120,000.

£120,000. OK, Irena.

I think it would be £115,000 because it's slightly unusual inside.

-Hmm.

-OK.

Well, you're the closest again.

But you're still nearly 10 grand out.

The price is actually above your budget.

-£129,950.

-Right.

You didn't fall in love with it, so...

It's a good thing.

Now, the wildcard. Everyone loves the wildcard.

-Would you like to go and see the wildcard?

-Definitely.

-Absolutely.

-This way.

Yes, it's that time of the morning again - the wildcard.

This Victorian two-bed in Cotteridge has just been done up

and is fantastically located

for transport links into the city centre.

But will Irena go for the period look?

Let's hope the ceilings are not too high!

Now, the wildcard. Everyone loves the wildcard, Irena and James.

Could we have, maybe, is there a translation for wildcard?

SHE SPEAKS LITHUANIAN

"Unexpected house" - that's good.

-You are good at Lithuanian, aren't you?

-Thank you.

OK, so this is that translation of a Lithuanian wildcard.

Now, wild, because we have gone character.

And, with character, sometimes they have a downstairs bathroom.

Here, we do not have a downstairs bathroom.

-OK.

-We've got an upstairs bathroom.

Um, it is currently empty. The guy's doing it up.

If we'd have come in tomorrow, he'd have had carpets down.

You can use your imagination, imagine the softness under your feet. And up the stairs.

But we are in Cotteridge, and kind of Cotteridge kissing King's Norton.

What do you think? Do you know this area?

We do know this area. Just down that way is the house where my mother lives.

-Ah! OK.

-Now, is that a good thing or not such a good thing?

I'm not so sure. I think you need to ask James.

It's very close.

-And it's a very good thing.

-A very good thing.

-Well done.

Is there any other answer?

No, there is not.

OK, so that's quite nice.

You know the area, the area is good. What do you think?

This isn't modern, and so far, out of the two houses...

Let's not drag back to your one, Nikki,

but the modern one is probably winning. What do you think of this?

-I'm definitely prepared to give it a chance and see what it's like.

-OK.

-Yep.

-Your mum's house is nearby, a similar kind of property,

-but your mum's has the downstairs bathroom which you don't like.

-Yeah.

This does not have that,

so that's quite a conundrum for you. Are you excited?

We are, yes.

OK, three, two, one. Enter that house.

Enjoy.

OK...

Straight into the living room.

It's been freshly painted. I can still smell it.

Nicely decorated.

-Nice little fire.

-You think it's nice?

-The blue bit comes off.

-Oh, right!

It doesn't look, inside, that much like a real period place.

For a Victorian house, I would expect much higher ceilings,

but these are not stupidly high.

-You're not getting lost?

-No.

-She did mention that she would be feeling like a little vase...

-A little Lithuanian vase.

..in a big-ceilinged room, but that's not going to happen here.

It's a shame in one way, but a positive in another way.

OK, so...

Second main room.

-It looks identical to Mum's house.

-It does look rather familiar.

Ah, but it is not identical, because...

-The bathroom's upstairs.

-Fantastic.

That is a conundrum. I'll be intrigued to see how Irena deals with that.

-The kitchen does look different.

-This is very different and very nice.

I would say it's a definite improvement from Mum's kitchen.

That one's just a box.

Yeah, look, lots of room for your chopping, or my chopping.

There's a nice lot of space, plenty of cupboards.

A nice, new cooker.

I'm well impressed with the kitchen.

-Yeah.

-I love this kitchen, I'm in love with this kitchen.

Ooh, hello! Hello, hello, hello!

That is the thumbs up from a chef, which is, of course, Irena.

She likes the kitchen, and I like the way I pronounced her name, then. I think it's my best attempt today.

I will not try it again. "Irena."

FOOTSTEPS ECHO

It's nice and creaky.

I can't believe it's so similar.

Yeah, I knew that would be here.

Again, useful cupboards to hide stuff away, though.

Do you think we can hide you there?

This is quite a big house.

There she goes. Thar she blows!

Now, Irena has previously discounted the olde-worlde houses

because they're not very big in her mind. This IS very big.

Doesn't have three bedrooms, but it does have two crackers.

We're walking into "our room".

It's weird, isn't it? Either they've mentally moved in,

or because the house is so similar,

they're walking into what looks like their room at their mother's house.

Good. At least we know what fits in this room.

Slightly newer fittings everywhere, though, which is nice.

-Yes, definitely. New windows, as well.

-New windows, new radiators.

That's something we wouldn't have to do ourselves.

I'd change the doors, though, because they're not quite new, are they?

Some of them are a bit 1930s,

but I think one of them is quite impressive.

I mean, that is an impressive door to the bathroom.

That is, yeah.

That's got to be original. That's nice.

-And the bathroom itself, wow.

-That's unexpected.

I'm not going to pull anything!

I've learnt my lesson.

It is very nicely fitted out.

It IS lovely, yeah.

Also, everything is brand new.

I loved everything up there that was new.

Things that were not as new, I didn't like so much.

The new stuff was top of my favourite list.

This house, then, is only two bedroom.

-Mm.

-The others we've seen have been three.

-Yeah.

-Do you think the bathroom's enough

to make up for the third bedroom?

There's just so many things to consider.

Irena and James, you've been in the wildcard.

-You've been spooked, because it's essentially your mum's house.

-It is very similar!

And effectively, you've already test-driven this house by living in it!

But you've not lived in one without a bathroom in the downstairs, so...

the big question - what do you think?

It's got some very big selling points.

The kitchen's very nice.

Much bigger, nice open space.

Big enough for two of us to be in there.

And the bathroom, as well, upstairs.

-You could chop together, I understand.

-We can chop together, yes.

-The couple who chops together stays together.

-As long as they don't chop each other.

That would be the end of a relationship!

A really good size kitchen, and for the chef in you, that's great.

Also, it's sympathetically modernised,

and I know your mother's is modernised,

but this is throughout, brand new,

like your light fixtures, your windows...

-Absolutely, yeah.

-Does that appeal?

It does appeal, but it's also got a couple of rough edges. Doesn't it?

Don't forget, because it's not finished yet, you can always say to the owner and to the builders,

"I want this done, I want this cleaned up." There's haggle room there.

Yes, snagging lists, they call them, in the trade.

Also, this has two bedrooms. Bathroom's upstairs, but no third bedroom.

-What does that...?

-It's not that essential, anyway.

-It's not a problem now.

-You could do what others have done

and you've seen a few on this street where they've gone into the roof.

Shall we find out the vital statistics of the house?

-Guess the price time. You've actually already won, James...

-Two out of three.

-..but Irena, you can still have some pride.

-I'll try, yes.

-You start.

-Um, I think it could be, maybe, £115,000.

-OK.

I think that because of the standard of the fittings that the owner's done to it,

I think he might want it a bit higher. I think maybe...

-£124,000...

-Greedy.

You've got a hat-trick.

Irena, commiserations, but the actual price is £129,950.

Um, again, think of haggling room. Your position, they want to sell, there's no-one in it.

So, that's something to think about there.

We've shown you all three and you've got to go off and make the biggest decision of your adult lives

about which one you wish to test-drive. Don't tell us now!

OK. We don't know, so...

Exactly! I don't know! I think it might not be Nikki's.

-Wander off that way, and we'll see you later on. Good luck.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Sorry about being cruel about your house.

-You're not just cruel.

Whilst they make their decision, here's a recap for you at home.

Will Irena and James go for my property today?

The viewing couldn't have gone better if I'd tried.

They loved the three bedrooms, upstairs bathroom, and kitchen-diner.

Dean the estate agent certainly came up with the goods.

Well, my lovely, three-bed semi certainly wasn't lacking in size,

but Irena and James simply couldn't get over the downstairs bathroom and dining table in the living room.

-Do you think I'm in with a shot here, Ed?

-No.

Or will the wildcard swing Irena's view of period properties?

I'm sure she didn't want to like it, but the kitchen and bathroom certainly seemed to impress.

And it's just around the corner from her mum's.

Irena and James...

Look at it.

You have chosen to test-drive my property. Now, that is not a shock to me.

But for Nikki's sake, and for the viewers' sake, why did you pick this one?

Almost, really, we set the bar too high at the start of the programme.

-Why did you go for this one?

-It's a lovely house.

I think we both liked it when we first saw it.

-It's got three bedrooms, it's nice and modern, good size.

-Yep, a nice garden. Nice little close.

-It had everything you asked for...

-Pretty much, yeah.

Almost everything. Don't forget the conservatory.

-But because of the budget...

-Remember the price. With a bit of haggling, it's there.

-All right, Ed.

-Mm-hmm.

-You did a very good job.

-Brilliant job.

-Just one thing that I want to point out.

We've had a survey done - not a legally binding survey -

but it will give you a very good heads-up and obviously,

-you can get your own done if you're interested.

-You would have to.

Looking at the property, you've got the barge boards and fascias - those wooden bits. They're rotten.

The weather's got to them.

-Now apparently, the fella is going to replace them as part of the deal.

-Fantastic.

So, one thing the surveyor spotted is going to be sorted.

Obviously you'd want to pin him down that that actually is going to happen, so that's good.

One of the negatives is already going to be sorted.

Now also, in the back garden, what's giving you your privacy

are those trees there, or bushes, or hedges - whatever you want to call them.

They're called Leylandii and there is actually a little rule in the UK about high hedges.

-Unless your neighbours complain, that's not an issue.

-It's nothing too much to be concerned about.

-What do you think, though? Are you still prepared to go in there and test-drive it?

-Yes.

-OK, in three, two, one, commence that journey.

-Enjoy.

Right, off we go. I think we're in for a Lithuanian culinary adventure.

Mmm. It looks like James's mum has popped in for a tour.

-Hello.

-Hello.

She's an estate agent, you know?

I'm sure she'll cast a professional eye over the place.

-Grab a seat.

-Mm-hmm.

First impressions look good. I'm feeling very positive about this one.

Irena is giving the kitchen a thorough test drive.

It looks like quite a feast she's preparing here.

Ah, the all-important upstairs bathroom seems to have passed the test,

but what does James's mum think of the rest of it?

What do you think of the house in general?

Er, I like what I've seen. I think it's worth looking into.

Marvellous! In it goes, but I know James has been itching to do one last thing.

Test the park opposite as a photography location.

Ah!

It looks great.

-Still sizzling.

-So, how was the test drive?

Very nice, a lovely kitchen. I really enjoyed cooking it for you.

-Fantastic.

-Wow!

-Hello.

-Wow, look at this.

This is what you did on the test drive?

Let's not fill our faces just yet.

How has it been? Obviously, the kitchen has delivered this.

Is it good? This is the first meal you potentially could eat here.

I think it's really fantastic to be able to cook just over there,

and then to bring your food here and just enjoy the meal. It's lovely.

OK, and how does it feel to come back on your second viewing...

-Mm-hmm.

-It's a lovely, sunny day, it's very nice.

Could you imagine yourself in here?

Easily. Easily, yeah.

And what did you do whilst Irena was preparing this Lithuanian feast?

Erm, I showed my mum round.

And what did your mum think of the place? Did she like it?

She did. Like us, she's wondering what kind of area it's in,

but the house itself looks very nice.

I could definitely see myself here.

Lovely.

We're staggering towards the inevitable.

I want to ask the question quickly, because... This seems insane, but I do want to eat that herring.

Are we ready? Are you prepared? Here it comes.

To buy or not to buy? That is the question.

I think it might be a buy.

-Really?!

-Very likely.

-Wow, well done!

-I'm loving it.

-Well done, you, Ed Hall.

-Well it's not just me.

-Dean.

-The mysterious property hunting team, and Dean.

Well, shall we... I'm going to have my herring.

It would seem insane for us to leave now.

-Shall we say goodbye now?

-Let's, yeah.

-We're going to do this.

-You eat, Ed.

If any of you - we can't give you a Lithuanian feast -

but we may be able to find you a house,

please don't hesitate to get in touch.

-ED MUMBLES

-With your mouth full, no!

But not for another couple of hours,

-because we're going to eat this.

-I get this every day(!)

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